Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Today is National Waitstaff Day. It's a day to honor the waiters and waitresses at our local restaurants, food and drink spots who work primarily for tips. Be sure to tip them fairly according to the quality of their service and not the quality of food they bring you. This goes for brewery taproom workers too. When you visit your local brewery today, be sure to tip your server well and thank them for all they do. Here's what's happening around the Colorado beerosphere today Wednesday, May 21st, 2014. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Metro DenverLone Tree Brewing Co (Lone Tree) - LTBC is currently working on brewing up their 400th lifetime batch of beer (110th batch this year so far). For those eagerly awaiting the return of Helles 6-packs, they will have more available in the tap room later today and will get them back out to liquor stores as soon as possible. Also BIG news... their Single Hop (Motueka) Pale Ale is now on tap. This smooth and delicious pale ale comes in at 5.7% ABV and 57 IBUs. Motueka (Moe-two-A-kuh) is an amazing hop from New Zealand that shows grapefruit and green tea characteristics. The beer is described as grapefruit forward, smooth, balanced and yum! [8200 Park Meadows Dr, Suite 8222, Lone Tree, CO]

Arvada Beer Co (Arvada) - This Week's Hump Day Helper is their Irish Red, just $3 per pint (today only). This Thursday's BLR (Brewer's Limited Release) is a Watermelon Wheat. They will also be releasing a new beer; Hopped Up Red, tomorrow, May 22nd! So many great beers to try, come on down and enjoy a pint or two. [5600 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO] Sponsored ad from City Star Brewing - Berthoud, CO.

4 Noses Brewing Co (Broomfield) - Here's more detail about their Grand Opening party this weekend. The celebration will run all weekend long - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Look for special events each day on their Facebook page. They will be increasing their business hours during the weekend and will be open on Memorial Day from 12pm to 9pm. They will release a special beer - a Helles Lager on nitro this weekend. Also, they will have special tappings of their Bareback Blonde - one with blackberries and one with strawberries. Plus, there is one remaining sixtel of their Russian Imperial Stout made with coffee and vanilla beans on Sunday, May 25th for their Sunday brunch. [8855 W 116th Circle, Broomfield, CO]

Chain Reaction Brewing Co (Denver) - In preparation for opening (soon), the brewers were busy making 5 batches of beer yesterday including a double batch of Pink Peppercorn Saison, a double batch of amber ale, and a small batch of their English mild. Look for word on this nano-brewery's opening coming soon. [902 S Lipan St, Denver, CO]

Coda Brewing Co (Aurora) - It's time to officially host a Grand Opening celebration after several weeks of test runs. Come celebrate and drink some hand crafted beers at Coda Brewing Co.'s Grand Opening this Friday, May 23rd. Brewery doors open at noon, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of Aurora at 5pm. After the ribbon cutting, Master Brewer Luke Smith's band, The Lookout Mountain Boys will take the stage. Come experience this rare fusion of all 5 senses being aroused - taste, touch, smell and sight will finally be paired with the one sense that is rarely stimulated while drinking beer - sound - when Rosalita, a chocolate java porter is paired with their song “Rosalita". All ten taps will be flowing on Friday, with all of the standard house ales being served, such as their famous Hydle Ale, with some other specialty brews, such as their Mandarin soaked Hindenberg IPA, and their African Hibiscus soaked Belgian Wit. There may even be one or two special surprise brews. Feel free to come hungry as their specialty brewery menu items will be available all day, including a fan favorite Atomic Dog with jalapeño infused sausage, their pheasant sausage with mushrooms and parmesan, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich and their uniquely delicious tempeh nuggets! As usual, the full menu from Cedar Creek Pub will also be available all day. [2101 N Ursula St, Unit 10, Aurora, CO]

Beer By Design Brewery (Northglenn) - Beer By Design Brewery has just released its new line of four sour beers. A plain wheat sour, and a Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry flavored wheat sours as well. These four sour beers are great for summer with a subtle sour taste we all love and a good malt finish. Come in and try them today while they last. Beer Designed to be enjoyed, responsibly. [2100 E 112th Ave, Northglenn, CO]

Colorado Breweries (Book Signing) - Dan Rabin, author of the recently-released Colorado Breweries guidebook, will be signing copies of the book at two locations in upcoming days. On Thursday May 22nd, he’ll be at Cannonball Creek Brewing in Golden beginning at 4 PM. On Saturday May 24th, he’ll be at the Tasty Weasel tap room at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont beginning at 2 PM.

Gravity Brewing (Louisville) - Gravity Brewing is excited to announce that they will be releasing a limited supply of 750ml bottles of a few of their most popular hand crafted beers, this Saturday, May 24th at 2:00pm, at their Tasting Room only. This limited release will include the following Gravity Brewing brands:Mendacious Belgian Golden Strong, Acceleration Double IPA, and Tsar Bomba. There is a limited amount of each style, so come grab them while they last. More styles will be released in the future. The Spice Apple Whiskey Mendacious will be on draft in the Tasting Room on Saturday as well, so come check it out and grab some bottles to go. [1150 Pine St, Unit B, Louisville, CO]

Kettle & Stone Brewing Co (Boulder) - Inside their taproom sits a bottle cooler with the last of their Kettle & Stone labeled bomber bottles. Once they're gone they're gone. They will be hosting a Name Change Party this Friday where they will unveil their new company name. The name change is being forced upon them by Stone Brewing Co of California because their name was too similar (dang lawyers). The bombers will be on sale until Friday, May 23rd at 4:30pm. Plus, at that time they will tap their VindiKASion Imperial IPA. [6880 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO]

Northern Colorado

The Fort Collins Brewery (Ft. Collins) - [PRESS RELEASE] The Fort Collins Brewery, along with Gravity 1020 Modern Tavern has announced that Major Tom’s American Wheat will transition from a full time brew into a summer seasonal beginning August 2014. The unique creation infused with real pomegranates and filtered to a bright finish, has been a part of FCB’s full time lineup for the last nine years and the namesake holds a special meaning to FCB’s co-owner Tom Peters. To keep up with the growth of FCB, Tom Peters sold his private airplane in 2004 to fund the brewery’s first packaging line. The brew, a favorite of Tom’s, started in FCB’s tasting room and shortly after was introduced to the full time lineup. To commemorate the occasion it was rightfully named Major Tom’s. “Major Tom’s has become a defining brew for us over the last number of years,” said FCB’s Owner, Tom Peters. “As the days get warmer and the time for flying get’s longer, Major Tom’s popularity spikes significantly, where we feel the transition into a summer seasonal makes the most sense.” Once a seasonal, Major Tom’s will release in May of each year and will remain packaging in 6-packs, as well as on draft. [1020 E Lincoln Ave, Ft. Collins, CO]

Verboten Brewing (Loveland) - Wednesday means Happy Hour at Verboten. Get $1 off all pints in the taproom from 3pm to 6pm tonight. On tap tonight: Got The Knife Golden Ale, Thinking of Something Orange, Five Second Frencher, Roll in Ze Hay Gose, Angry Banjo, Killer Boots, Good Day to You, Pure Imagination, Gluten Removed Killer Boots, Not the Irish on nitro, and Bourbon Barrel I Must Break You R.I.S. Here's to a happier Hump Day! [1550 Taurus Ct, Loveland, CO]

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) - Set your calendars for this Friday, May 23rd. This is when they'll be tapping a firkin of their next cocktail-themed brew. This week, they're tapping a Pina Colada 3 Golden Hairs. Wear your Hawaiian shirt for this one. Also, Grimm Bros is now stockpiling boardgames on their game shelf. If you bring in a boardgame for their collection you'll get a free pint. They have designated Sundays as gaming day - drink specials for gamers! [623 N Denver Ave, Loveland, CO]

City Star Brewing (Berthoud) - Come for the beer, stay for the fun and food too. Tonight they have the Oskar Blues Bonewagon outside serving up burgers on wheels from 6-9pm. Plus, it's another night of Trivia starting at 7:30pm. #WINBEER [321 Mountain Ave, Berthoud, CO]

Southern Front Range

Pikes Peak Brewing (Monument) - Join PPBC tomorrow, May 22nd, at 5:30pm as they tap their Highlander Scottish Ale. The Highlander is a community brew that benefits Autism Speaks! They'll be serving it up in beautiful thistle glasses too! [1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr, Monument, CO]

Fieldhouse Brewing Co (Colorado Springs) - Their new fermentors are on their way to their brewhouse. Once they arrive they will begin brewing. Look for a Grand Opening announcement to come very soon. Their brewery will be located at: 521 S Tejon St, Colo. Springs, CO.

Dillon Dam Brewery (Dillon) - Stop in and try their "Playa Nieve Chili Beer". This is a light,refreshing Mexican-style lager brewed with roasted Anaheim, Poblano, Serrano, Habanero and Jalapeno peppers. It's billed at slightly spicy & flavorful. Plus, tonight is Live Trivia Night starting at 9pm where you can compete to win some fun Dam prizes. Don't forget about their $2.75 Pints in the bar Monday through Thursday 3pm to 6pm and also late night Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9pm to 10pm. [100 Little Dam Rd, Dillon, CO]

Elevation Beer Co (Poncha Springs) - [PRESS RELEASE] Elevation Beer Company® and Pitcher of Nectar Distributing are excited to announce a distribution deal that will bring Elevation to the Phoenix Metropolitan area and Tucson starting May 27th. Elevation and Pitcher of Nectar Distributing (POND) have been in discussion for several months and are extremely excited to announce their relationship. Elevation will be launching with their year-round Apis IV, their Black Series Third Base Belgian Tripel, and their Double Black Series Signal De Botrange. An extremely limited amount of their 7437 Double IPA and 2014 World Beer Cup® Bronze Medal winner Señorita, an Horchata Imperial Porter, will also be available in Arizona. Elevation will then be sending all of their Black and Double Black Series seasonals and specialty releases to Arizona throughout 2014 and beyond. Elevation Beer Company is currently distributed in their home state of Colorado, Texas, and now Arizona. The brewery has been open for just two years and has won eight medals for excellence and currently has eight beers rated 90+ on ratebeer.com. [115 Pahlone Pkwy, Poncha Springs, CO]

Ska Brewing/Steamworks Brewing (Durango) - River's up, trails are dry, and Faceplant Ale is just days from the tap. What better way to kick off your weekend and celebrate this righteous time of year than a bike parade/release party culminating at Buckley Park? There isn't one. Stop thinking so hard. Beer. Bicycles. Ska. Steamworks. 19 years. See you there. Click image below for a closer look.
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